An expert analyzes why European countries believe that the US should guarantee their security, tracing this view back to post-World War II realities. Europe faced existential threats after the war, and its recovery and economic growth were possible largely thanks to US support, notably the Marshall Plan, and the longstanding security provided through NATO led by the United States.
In the decades since, political elites and public opinion within Europe have grown accustomed to relying on the "American security umbrella," often without fully funding their own defense needs. However, with changes to US political leadership and a possible reduction of the American military presence in Europe, the continent is now facing new threats and challenges that require rethinking its security and defense policies.
The US continues to play a decisive role in supporting Ukraine through financial and military aid but is urging Europe to take greater responsibility. A likely future scenario is the freezing of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which would lead to prolonged and complex negotiations over a final peace deal and require a political reset in Ukraine. According to the expert, Donald Trump is interested in ending the war but the peace terms might not fully satisfy Ukraine.
Despite concerns over Ukraine’s national debt, the expert reassures that the economic situation is not as dire as it might seem, and bankruptcy is not an immediate threat. Inflation and the need to redistribute budget spending after the war remain key challenges. Continued financial support from the EU is expected, as Europe seeks to prevent the war from spreading further.
